Great Britain opened their IIHF Division 1A campaign with a shootout victory over Ukraine on day one of the competition in Romania.
Cardiff Devils goalie Ben Bowns was the hero in the shootout, stopping all four Ukraine attempts as he logged his 82nd cap for the national team – the equal-most for a goaltender.
Goals from Guildford’s Josh Waller and Nottingham’s Brett Perlini put GB two ahead as they struck in each of the opening two periods. However, Ukraine tied the game by the 32-minute mark to leave the sides level heading into the third.
With just over ten minutes to play, Denys Boradai put Ukraine into the lead to complete their comeback, but thankfully GB were able to tie the game just over 90 seconds later through Ben O’Connor – a goal given after video review.
Bowns came up big to keep the game level in overtime, before stopping four out of four in the shootout. At the other end, O’Connor and Belfast Giants’ Ben Lake sealed the win for Pete Russell’s team.
“We started slow, and then I think got a lot better in the second period,” said Russell post-game. “We took the lead and then perhaps got a bit too individual, but in the third period I thought we really pushed the game hand, and I liked how we showed good character to get scored on and then come back again.”
GB play hosts Romania on Monday night, live on Premier Sports.
Photo: Dean Woolley
